Ezekiel 18:22

“All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.”

This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel where God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel to address the people of Israel regarding their understanding of justice and personal responsibility. The chapter emphasizes individual accountability for one’s actions and rejects the notion of intergenerational punishment.

In Ezekiel 18, God challenges the Israelites’ complaint that the punishment they are experiencing is a result of their ancestors’ sins. He emphasizes that each person is responsible for their own conduct and will be judged accordingly. The passage discusses various scenarios involving a righteous man turning to sin, a wicked man repenting, and the consequences of their actions.

In verse 22, God declares that when a person repents of their transgressions and turns towards righteousness, their past sins will not be held against them. The phrase “All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him” signifies that God will not bring up or hold against the person the sins they have genuinely repented of and abandoned.

Instead, God focuses on the person’s righteousness and the good deeds they have performed. The phrase “in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live” emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life. If a person lives in accordance with God’s commands and repents of their sins, they will experience life and God’s favour.

This verse highlights the mercy and forgiveness of God. It conveys the message that individuals have the opportunity to change their ways, repent, and find acceptance and life in God’s righteousness. It reinforces the idea that God’s judgment is based on individual actions and genuine repentance, rather than ancestral guilt or collective punishment.